Puzzle.



Patented Ian. 30, I900. H. B. DOERSCH.

PUZZLE.

(Applicatimffled Mar. 16, 1899.)

N0. 642mm;

(No Model.)

/N VE N TOR WITNESSES f/yr llnrrnn STATES ATET FFIQEt i HENRY CONRAD DOERSCH, OF NYACK, NE\V YORK.

PUZZLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 642,091, dated January 30, 1900.

Application filed March 16, 1899. Serial No. 709,248. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY CONRAD DOERSCH, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Nyack, county of Rockland, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Puzzles, of which the following is a specification, reference bein g had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

This invention relates to puzzles of that class which involve a series of communicating channels in which balls or spheres are adapted to travel.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple and improved puzzle of this character which will be especially entertaining and attractive and in which the balls or spheres are adapted to pass from one set of channels to a corresponding duplicate set of channels.

The invention will be hereinafter fully de scribed, and specifically set forth in the annexed claim.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a top or plan view of my improved puzzle. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view.

Referring to the drawings, A designates a base-board, upon which is provided a double set of vertical circular walls or flanges, each set forming a series of rings inclosed within each other, as at B B. The series of rings of each set which are formed by the vertical flanges I) produce a set of circular channels or passage ways 0 between said rings or flanges, and the latter are provided with a series of openings, as at d, which are relatively arranged in an irregular concentric manner, as shown, to provide communication between the circular channels or passage-ways. The central or innermost ring b forms a central chamber, as at 6, while the outermost ring forms an outside inclosing wall for the set of rings and channels. The separate sets of circular rings or channels B and B, as above described, are respectively arranged upon the base-board A near the opposite ends of the latter and are separated a suitable distance.

F designates an irregular channel or passage-way which connects the two sets of rings or passage-ways l3 and B, said passage-way F being formed by irregular vertical flanges g g, extending across the space between the sets of passage-ways B and B. The irregular flanges g g are arranged upon the baseboard A in a manner corresponding to that of the rings or flanges Z) and communicate with openings h in the outer rings 1) of the respective sets B and B. The intermediate passage-way F thus formsa serpentine orirregular passage or means of communication between the respective sets of circular passages B and B.

I designates marbles or spheres, Whiclrare adapted to freely roll within the various passage-ways and through the openings connecting the same. These marbles or spheres are designed to represent ships, and the surface of the base-board A may be ornamented with representations of ships or war vessels, as at 75, while on opposite sides of their-regular intermediate or connecting channel F may be provided representations of forts, as at Z, as desired. A representation of a sunken ship in the irregular passage-way F, as at on, may also be provided on the top surface of the base-board A, or the latter may be otherwise appropriately ornamented.

In operation the spheres or marbles are first assembled in one of the central chambers e; and the object of the puzzle is to roll the marbles through the passage-ways c (by means of the communicating openings d) of one set of passage-ways b, through the irregular or serpentine intermediate communicating passage-way F, and through the passageways 0 and openings 01 of the other circular.

set of passage-ways B until all the spheres or marbles are assembled within the central chamber e of said set E.

I do not confine myself to the specific details of mere mechanical construction and design as herein shown and described, as it is obvious that under the scope of my iuvention I am entitled to slight structural variations.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The herein described improved puzzle, comprising the base-board, the two separate and distinct sets of rings or circular flanges projecting from said base-board and forming the circular channels or passage-ways c, ar-

ranged one Within the other, the arrangement marbles, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name, in presl 5 ence of two witnesses, this 7th day of March, 1899.

HENRY CONRAD DOERSCH.

Witnesses:

SAMUEL A. BEDELL, FREDERICK WAGNER. 

